Xiao Zai could tell that Chu Yun was having a hard time imagining his brother as part of a secret martial arts academy. His eyes were wide as moons, as he muttered the word, "assassin" to himself.
Part of Xiao Zai was shocked as well. He could still see Chu Hean -- slim, waifish, Chu Hean, almost half a head shorter than Chu Yun -- throwing those flying daggers as if he'd been doing it all his life. Slinking out of the window like a cat, disappearing into the night like a ghost.
But, an even bigger part of himself, remembered being hidden in an armoire by his dam, before his father stormed into the room and started raining blows on him. When he was still a child he used to hope that his dam would just hit back, return all of his father's violence. It was only later that he realised that his dam would never be strong enough to fight back, even if he wanted to.